ThreeDawg
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Post by ThreeDawg on Oct 13, 2013 9:00:27 GMT -5
"Why my lady. I must assume you've never had drinks with an Ogre then,"
Chloe's eyes closed a little and her mouth hung slightly open at this comment. It took her a good few seconds of disbelieving Aran had actually had drinks with an Ogre to realize that it must have been a joke. Surely. A slight smile cracked on her lips in response but overall she was just a little confused by the lack of change in his voice or facial expressions at the joke. Something to work on, at least. Speaking like a Man, instead of a Tree.
"Well my lady.... Chloe. Is there anything you want to discuss? You aren't nearly making full use of my training, I have noticed, though we have a lifetime to sort that out. If you'd prefer, we could practice with the sword some more, or perhaps magic. I really don't have anything I'd prefer to be doing, to be honest. All my decisions were made for me, under the an'Kin. Part of being a tool, you understand."
Her eyes narrowed a little at his next comment, until again she realized the last part must have been a joke. Oh this is simple, she thought, getting used to him will be easy. In reality, it probably wouldn't, but her denial had been put in place to help her cope with the coming journey and, as she kept reminding herself more and more often, the rest of her life. Yet another slight smile passed across her face as she responded to his question, "I'm honestly not quite sure what to do when caught out in a thunderstorm. I take it sitting here and making sure devious monsters don't creep up on us in the darkness isn't going to entertain us for long."
She shrugged gently, placing her hands on her lap where they could be kept a little warmer. "I don't fancy practicing swords in the wet on my first night out and who knows if those big nasty monsters do come looking for some dry shelter I may end up needing my Magicka. So how about we 'discuss' some things? You said I'm not making full use of your training, what actually is your training. How can I make full use of it if I don't even know what it is you can do. I know you fight well, dress snappy and have a vast repertoire of jokes at hand. That's about it."
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Oct 13, 2013 9:51:46 GMT -5
Aran wasn't certain if she was being sarcastic, or if she actually understood his humor. Either way, he was surprised to find that she seemed unflustered in the face of his lack of visible emotion. That was something he had worked very hard on, and he was more surprised to find it bothered him. As for talking, it certainly made him feel uncomfortable, as he still viewed Chloe as his Master, no matter what she said.
"Well my l- Chloe, I am uncertain if it has been mentioned, but my belt is symbolic of my training. Each stud of material represents a field in which I have received training. The belt itself represents subservience to my master." Aran did not notice in the slightest that that was the manner of thing she wanted him to steer away from, the mindset engraved into his psyche.
"I have been taught in all the forms of magic, though I am no skilled enough to use them myself. I am also well versed in any forms of combat you may wish to learn. I know histories and geography of differing regions, as well as the beasts within. For example, it is very unlikely that any larger beasts will attack us here, between the fire and the nearby road, though it is possible the storm might drive them to shelter."
"As for more general training, I have received all the instruction necessary to perform the duties of any other servant roles you may need me for. When we ride, I can scout ahead, ensuring no dangers lay in wait. When you need purchases made, I am well versed in bartering, to ensure minimum payment is required. I can awake you at your desired time in the morning, draw your bath, ensure you are clean, choose out clothing for you and dress you, as well as comb out your hair, and complete any other routines you desire as such."
"I am sure you have noticed that I can cook and ensure I prepare your meals at the correct hours of the day, so you have made use of me in that. If you wish it, I can work while we are in cities or taverns, and increase the gold you brought with you. I know several trades, and can earn our stay with songs, or through manual labor if any is available. I have also been trained to steal if you prefer more unsavory manners. If you desired more servants, or perhaps a carriage for your traveling comfort, I can find ways to hire an finance them. . ."
"In short my Lady, I have been trained to ensure you never need do any menial tasks yourself if you do not wish to." The list was long, and most of them were perhaps more appropriate for a king or queen. Aran was unsure what level of pampering she had received at the Labelle Estate, but he knew from experience what things would be required for the highest level of royalty, and he saw no reason Chloe should not receive the same treatment.
Learning most of the normal servant duties had been interesting to him, with memories of when others had done the same for him as a child were prevalent. He had actually enjoyed it for the most part, and at times had shared laughs and apologies with his friend and foster mother. Some things he had asked them to do while they had been his servants had been foolish and childish, but they had complied nonetheless. By the end of his training, he had understood why. Sometimes, it was better to serve as you were required and enjoy the life fate had given you. Something Chloe seemed to enjoy making hard on him.
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ThreeDawg
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Post by ThreeDawg on Oct 13, 2013 11:58:55 GMT -5
Chloe was quite interested in just how much Aran had been taught, if each of his belts represented a 'School of Knowledge' like each of the Schools of Magic then he clearly knew a lot more than Chloe had given him credit for. Histories, Geography, Bestiaries. Chloe understood that he wouldn't know everything, he wasn't exactly on a level like 'The Scholar' that had scribed the majority of her books, he wouldn't know the exact detail of what creatures lived in the region around them. But it was clear from his words that he'd know a good enough detail of the province as a whole to keep her safe.
She felt herself mentally relax a little at that thought, her situation didn't seem so scary and unknown if Aran thought the place they were in was suitably safe for her. She looked down at his belt, "There's a lot of studs. . . Clearly more than you've let on. I'll be honest they make my expensive home-schooling seem sub-par in comparison." and she was speaking the truth. She felt a little upset by not being the most learned of the two, her mentors had always taught her that to have knowledge was to have power. Here was someone who then, in theory, had more power than her. She didn't like that thought. At least she had the most Magical prowess of the two. If only she had some more. . .
She pulled herself away from the thoughts before they consumed her, instead distracting herself with the conversation at hand once more. "So you're trained to, basically, do everything for me. Well I'd appreciate some of those things, like your bartering, cooking and drawing my bath. Although I can comb my own hair and dress myself." She cracked a wide smile for Aran, adding in "I've been doing that since I was seven."
"As for working to pay our way," she continued on, her smile fading, "well I'd rather you not if you didn't feel up to it. But I see the point in conserving our Septims like that. But only do it if it's an immediate option, I'm sure I can help raise income as we travel in some ways. I'm open to any work myself. But that shouldn't matter for a long time, if at all. We have plenty of Septims at hand and, if it comes to it, we can always head back home for some more." she didn't like the thought of squeezing money from her parents for the rest of her life, but she realized in this pursuit of. . . Whatever it is she was looking for out here. . . That she'd need their help along the way.
Scaled feet clawed at the ground deep in the forest. A taloned hand grabbed onto a trunk as it pulled the owner out of a trench. Lightning struck in the distance, momentarily lighting up the reptilian features of the owner. It sneered, the light stunning it. A guttural growl and a shout spoken in a bestial language few understood came from its fanged maw. Stones shifted, dirt crumbled, as several other figures rose from a dark hole deep in the trench. Some had bone-and-stick spears, others blunt swords and rudimentary shields, two held short bows and one even had a net and a rusted mace. Their 'leader' stood atop the trench in the torrential rain, he grunted and hissed, clacked his teeth and scratched his talons harshly against the bark of the tree. His party before him hissed their acknowledgment, each raising their chosen weapon into the air.
The 'leader' held his claws down, aiding two of the party to rise out of the trench. He turned, allowing them to aid the rest, and drew his short swords. A flap of skin either side of his cheeks, the sign of his dominance over the group, fluttered as he let out a deep moan. A signal, few animals could hear it over the intended distance, his own species could and any rival groups in the area would know to stay away if they wished to return to their clutches intact.
The hunt began, they begun to skulk through the trees almost completely in silence. It was rare they could head out into the wilderness without it being the darkness of night. This thunderstorm had given them the perfect cover, with it they could find unsuspecting prey they wouldn't normally get in the deep of night. A wonderful opportunity.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Oct 14, 2013 0:27:28 GMT -5
"Well Chloe, if you desire it, I'll be willing to do whatever it is you require of me. As I mentioned, the belt represents servitude. The need to serve you is somewhat.... necessary for me." He felt as though it were possibly the largest understatement he had ever made. He still found it hard to imagine doing anything without a master, let alone actually choosing things to do on his own. When the time had come in his training, he'd embraced the notion wholeheartedly and strived towards it. His mind was still passively trying to push away her words, and the confusion still lingered.
"I am sure however, your home-schooling was far superior to my own. I am taught a broad spectrum of knowledge. There are thirty studs to be exact, and I have training in each. I do not of course, know nearly as much as the an'Kin do, and perhaps yourself as well. We are only taught as much that is necessary for us to serve our masters well in whatever environment we find ourself in, and in whatever task they require. The only thing I truly excel in is combat, since protecting your life takes more importance then anything else..."
Aran continued for a time, taking off his belt and detailing to her what each of the studs represented. The materials that represented magic were lumped together, and he confessed that short of explaining more taxing spells, he could only safely teach the school of illusion, without risking their lives. The studs for weaponry and combat he was more confident about, and he passively mentioned that he was of the most skilled with many weapons in the House of Servants.
Some of the studs were more obscure, and he passed them over quickly, giving less details about his studies in assassination, thievery, and the body. They were not parts of his training he had enjoyed, and he hoped that Chloe would not require any of the unsavory portions of them from him without good reason.
He finished out with the studs representing his study of individual histories, creatures, and craftsmanship. He went slightly more in depth on these, while making sure to point out he did not know nearly enough to be considered an artisan or scholar. Aran mentioned the Dwemer ruins underneath Norvos once more, detailing a bit more of what he knew about them, and how they had been permitted to view it once. During all his descriptions, he gave away more then he intended about the horrible conditions and training forced upon the servants-to-be, and the Draconian rules imposed upon them. Perhaps enough to make someone with a weaker stomach sick. For him, it was simply life, and he thought nothing of it.
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ThreeDawg
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Post by ThreeDawg on Oct 18, 2013 15:59:16 GMT -5
Chloe had, at first, been intrigued by the studs Aran described to her. She thought it a brilliant idea to display what you were proficient in, that such a method should be used more widely throughout Imperial society. She soon realised that someone would find a method of counterfeiting that, claiming they had training in professions they clearly didn't. Yet still, clearly the an'Kin knew what they were doing. She maintained this thought until Aran described the disgusting conditions that Aran had to endure to receive his training. How they starved, beat and humiliated the children to drill into them not only the lessons they needed to learn but a forceful sense of submission.
At least, she thought to herself, that he was in a better place for it. Yet it worried her that he didn't find any of this as a bad thing, would he wish that upon others? She was suddenly reminded of her father, surely he knew about this. Surely he knew what he was buying for his daring daughter. Did this mean that he condoned what the an'Kin performed down in Hammerfell? Did he understand that he was basically supporting a slave trade with his actions.
They picked up a scent, an animal. The group scuttled through the woods, leaping over exposed roots and using tree trunks to launch themselves over narrow ravines. The frilled leader hissed a command in their alien language, pointing one of his worn swords into the distance. Two of the group, lighter of build and colour, slung their weapons against their backs and broke into a sprint, utilising all four limbs to storm ahead of the group. They disappeared into the thick bushes of the distance, a crash of thunder sounded and the group seemed to shrink back from it. They halted momentarily, staring up into the sky, the rain trickling down the grooves in their scaled hide.
A piercing scream filled the air, before it suddenly cut off. The group remembered their purpose with a growl from their leader and begun their sprint once again. Soon they came across the two of their group they had sent away earlier, their snouts buried deep in the carcass of a female elk. The frilled one stormed over and struck the two with the pummels of his sword, sending them scuttling towards one of the nearby trees. Hisses and snarls were exchanged before the leader indicated to the Elk with a clawed finger. Another of the group stepped forwards, this one had a brutish appearance. He was heavily set, even more so than the leader, and with the tremendous muscle power exhibited under his scaled hide he begun dragging the doe back in the direction they had came. He moved quickly, even with the added weight, and soon the group moved on. A fresh scent had been found, this one promised much treasure.
Chloe didn't really perk up after their conversation about his training, not for awhile at least. She continued to mull over what she had been gifted. At first glances he was just a bodyguard, but really she was protecting him. If he had gone to someone less moral than herself he could well be tipping poison into the cups of merchants right now. A strange sense of belonging washed over her at that revelation. Strangely enough she thought to herself that she had been gifted the role of defending the world from what Aran could've become. She just hoped that she wouldn't ever find herself using him like the weapon he was designed to be.
Eventually though, she did speak up. "All of your training is quite impressive, Aran. Even if the training methods are a little unorthodox. . ." she had no intentions of turning this into an ethical debate, although she knew it would more end with Aran outwardly agreeing with her than actually altering his opinion. "Your mentioning of the Dwemer ruins doesn't fail to impress and intrigue me. I've always found the mystery surrounding their disappearance mesmerising. Of course I'm not expecting to come across any revelations in some old sandy Hammerfell ruins, but maybe we could find something else worth our time down there."
She went on to ask questions about how much the an'Kin knew about the ruins, how much they had been explored. What, if anything, had they found down there. She paid attention to Aran's responses, but really she was just wasting time for this infernal rain to slow.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Oct 19, 2013 2:06:38 GMT -5
Aran was distracted for a moment as the scream of wild game pierced through the storm, but he shrugged it aside. Apparently there were a few creatures around willing to brave the cold rain for food after all. He began feeding the fire some more, just in case one of them wandered the wrong direction.
"Well, the House of Servants has been around for a very long time. Until the Oblivion Crisis, the Dwemer buildings there were used, but when the surface structures were mostly destroyed by the invading Daedra my.... The man who began rebuilding Norvos simply built new structures over the old Dwemer ruins. The area is riddled with the underground chambers used to train servants before the Crisis. Traps, training constructs, equipment and tomes. To my knowledge, as the info of navigating the corridors was lost, no one has explored them any further then the main entrance. The an'Kin find the risk not worth the reward I suppose."
"Traversing them ourselves may be as equally dangerous Chloe. It is uncertain what we'll find past the first hallway. Perhaps some better known ruins would be preferable, if it please you. That is assuming of course, the an'Kin permit it in the first place." Aran was glad he had not let slip that it was his family that had funded the resurfacing of the House of Servants after the Oblivion Crisis. In a way, it was fitting that he should now be subjected to the sins of his forefathers, experiencing what they had wrought. He had come to terms with that long before of course, and now it was just amusing to him.
Lightning crashed overhead once more, and Aran took position leaning against the rock wall again as he watched the tree-line, wishing the storm would end. At this rate, they would likely not reach Mournoth 'til nightfall, or even afterwards if the storm continued on as it had. Though he still found it strange to be talking with his master on such a friendly basis, resisting would do him no good in showing her the error of her ways. "Is there anything else you wish to know my l- .... Chloe? I will of course answer what ever questions you might have. As I have mentioned, I am forbidden to lie to you, and am required to answer anything you desire."
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ThreeDawg
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Post by ThreeDawg on Oct 20, 2013 14:07:31 GMT -5
"So the an'Kin used to use the ancient Dwemer structures to train students? Traps, Animunculus and all that used as well?" she scoffed a little and shook her head, "Of course they would've, from what you've described they'll do everything short of killing you to train you up." she shuffled her position some more, getting comfortable yet again. Dirt and stone just wasn't agreeing with her today. From this position she had an eye on the rain to see if it stopped and another kept squarely on Aran. Just to catch if his facial expression changed at any time, which was unlikely.
"I'm not going to go half-way on my first trip into a Dwemer ruin. It's not the same exploring a ruin already well explored. What are you going to find in one of those? Dust? No I want to go see one that hasn't been traversed in a few centuries! Luckilly enough, you know where one is. I'm sure the an'Kin would let us in if we... Bring them back some old tomes? After I've had a read. . . Of course." she smiled, although this time her smile was sly, she truly intended to leaf through those lost tomes first. It was, afterall, what she was out for. Lost knowledge. Perhaps spell tomes.
She settled down again, staring off into the distance as she thought of the things she could learn. Would she learn anything about the Dwemer? She noted that she should try to find a book for determining Dwemer script along the way. Thinking along those lines, her Yokudan wasn't that brilliant. "Here's a question, Aran. Do you know much Yokudan? Is it even used by the Redguards that much or is it reserved to those... Strange ones that live in the desert?"
Crouched low in the bushes, the lithe yellowish scaled form sprinted through the woods. It was silent, surprisingly, he used trees to leap off when the bushes would have created too much noise. Hardly did a branch crack beneath its feet. It came to a stop when it reached a thin game trail, it's tongue flicked out to taste the air. Off in the direction of the smell it ran, tongue flicking occasionally to sample the air to ensure it was still on track.
Eventually it halted at the edge of a small clearing, on the opposite side a rocky outcropping but that was all it saw before it was blinded by the light of a fire. It held back the instictive hiss, squinting its eyes to make out the shapes of two Humanoids by the fire. It's tongue narrowed them down to not being Goblin, Ogre or Orc. Soon the rest of the group would follow his scent trail and meet him here.
Crouched, beady eyes staring from the foilage.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Oct 24, 2013 0:11:17 GMT -5
Aran unconsciously kept his face from changing throughout their conversations, a habit he wasn't entirely aware he had developed. Her comment on the an'Kin's techniques left his bothered and confused, but her talk of Dwemer ruins helped distract him from the tumultuous path his life was taking.
While she spoke, he walked over to the horses and began grooming them, hoping that things would not be to dangerous inside the ruins. As Chloe herself had just said, the an'Kin would never risk killing their students in pursuit of perfection. Similarly, it was unlikely the previous ones would have operated any differently. Of course, that did not mean that death might not come without immediate assistance. A number of times for his training he might've died, had a healer not been nearby to save his life. At the least though, the Dwemer ruins must not be meant to kill outright, and so long as he was careful he could ensure his masters safety.
He nearly missed her question while lost in thoughts and grooming the horses, but turned and regarded her, wondering what reason she'd want to learn the language. "I am afraid I do not, my lady Chloe. When our ancestors came from Yokuda, we adopted the local tongue. The Crowns and Nomads still speak Yoku, I believe, though I have never met a member of either group on friendly terms....."
He trailed off as a bush behind Chloe seemed to rustle in the dark. He peered into the undergrowth, but with the falling rain he could not find focus. He placed the hairbrush back in his pack and took his sword from atop Strider, drawing it from the sheath. There was likely no threat, and he had perhaps been seeing things, but as the bush continued to lack any further movement, his doubts grew. Still, the sword comforted him, and the an'Kin had been unanimous in teaching him to never lower his guard.
Looking to Chloe, he bowed slightly in apology, hoping he had not startled her. "Forgive me my lady. I believe an animal has found our campfire curious after all, though it may be gone now."
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ThreeDawg
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Post by ThreeDawg on Oct 27, 2013 17:14:40 GMT -5
Chloe was surprised to hear that Aran had seemingly come to blows with the Crowns and the Forebears, hopefully they wouldn't become a problem in the future as they traveled around Hammerfell. She didn't fancy causing an entire faction of the Redguards to hate her. Preferably she would not make too many enemies in her lifetime.
She was startled again when Aran drew his sword, looking into the bushes behind her. He didn't seem to jumping over the fire to slash his way through any threat to her, but she turned around just to be sure. She remained still for as long as it took for Aran to realise there wasn't any movement and give her the all clear. Sitting down, noticing that her hands had been flexed out ready to produce some timely offensive spells.
She found it hard to relax after that close call, but she attempted to stifle her fear and show a sense of normality. "Must've. . . Just been a Fox. I hear if they're hungry they'll come up to a campfire. . . No danger from just a Fox." she glanced backwards into the bushes, before shaking her head and returning to Aran.
The scout silently snarled his teeth at the two before him. He gripped the hilt of his rusted sword tightly, so tight that the talons of his fingers dug into his palm. He had almost been spotted, luckily they had turned around. He cursed himself for making a noise and almost alerting the prey.
The rest of the group raced through the forest until they caught the scent the scout had followed. Burning firewood was noticeably, so they crouched down and spread out. The lightning and the noise of thunder no longer caused them to flinch, not one would risk giving away their position until they were ready. Or they would be made to regret it. They waited to surround the camp, each disorientated by the firelight but unwilling to turn away for the gains that could be made from this raid. Not only riches and weapons from the Humanoids but Horses too. A fine meal for their clutch.
"Rain seems to be letting up a little," Chloe noted, although the rain hardly seemed to have changed at all, "maybe we'll end up moving by nightfall. . ."
A boom filled the clearing.
The forests seemed to come alive with activity all at once, shadowed figures leapt out from behind trees and bushes to reveal scaled forms brandishing weapons. Each came upon the two, there must have been at least six, almost two-thirds Aran's size yet still hunched. Chloe reacted quickly, jumping to her feet and throwing up an Oakflesh spell with a flash of white Magicka and drawing the sword from her hip with the other. The sword-belt held fast, thankfully, and she managed to narrowly parry a mace blow. The creatures held a deceptive strength and Chloe found herself knocked back on her feet, barely standing from the blow. An arrow hit the fire, knocking charred wood and flicking flames everywhere.
Several of the creatures flinched.
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Nov 7, 2013 14:02:45 GMT -5
"Rain seems to be letting up a little, maybe we'll end up moving by nightfall. . ."
Aran nodded in agreement, hoping that the lady Chloe was right. From the weather, it was possible it would continue to be stormy for the next few days, well into their trip into the mountains. At that height, rain would turn to snow and hail, and the road would becoming nigh unseeable. Many a hiker had lost their lives to snowstorms, and Aran could only hope that the storm would let up quietly and finish its torrent today.
He was watching the treeline as figures leapt out of the trees to Aran's surprise. He hefted his sword as shadows were thrown across the clearing and an arrow struck his armor, glancing off to the side.
The reptiles glistened with rain water, and two of them fell upon Aran as he scrambled to his feet and placed his helmet on in a swift motion. His only thought was the protection of his master, and he panicked as a mace sent her backwards, barely avoiding a spear thrust from the first lizard assaulting him.
With two lizards pressing on him, there was nothing he could do, and he parried an axe swing as he dodged around another thrust from a spear. With a stray arrow striking the fire, Aran caught his moment, acting his as much speed as he could. The scaled humanoid with the spear reeled from the fire, and Aran swung his sword forward fluidly, taking the lizard across the face, its jaw spewing blood through the air as the left half hung from its skull. The beast had not died, but Aran grabbed the spear with his free hand and pried it away from the beast, ducking under another axe swing.
With a hop, Aran chucked the spear straight for the mace-wielding lizard as it readied for another attack on Chloe, and the point struck it directly in the skull, the beast falling dead on its side. He had no time for celebration as an axe came towards him again and a fourth lizard approached, forcing him to retreat. Diving to the side, he rolled towards the fire, grabbing one of the burning logs and wielding it as a sword in tandem with his own. The two lizards shied away from the flames, and Aran retreated backwards towards Chloe, placing himself between her and the lizards. "Stay behind me, my lady."
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ThreeDawg
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Post by ThreeDawg on Nov 16, 2013 13:45:17 GMT -5
Chloe dodged backwards from the lizard and his mace, she raised her sword to block yet another strike when the beast collapsed with a rough-hewn spear in its head. She didn't need to turn to know that it was Aran, instead she moved herself backwards behind the fire and towards Aran. She sheathed her sword, now that she was in his defence.
With little more than a mental thought both her hands sprung into flames, which she held out much like Aran was holding the burning log. The reptiles shied back, their teeth snarling and their tails slopping against the wet earth beneath their feet. They all seemed to be squinting to Chloe, as much as a reptile could squint. Their alien eyes avoided the light, which was hard to do when their prey wielded it. "They don't like the light..." Chloe said in amazement, although it was clear to all that the creatures feared the fire.
One reptile strode ahead of the group, this one larger and more intimidating than the rest, even though it wasn't the most muscular. Flaps of skin flared out from the jowls on it cheeks, spreading about its head like a Divine's halo. The flap of skin fluttered aggressively back and forth, the fire they held shone defiantly of reflective red and green scales. The beast begun a snarl, which progressed to a commanding line in some guttural language of hisses and growls.
Chloe had had enough, this beast had the audacity to attack them in this storm. Then to come at them and size them up like some brawler at a bar. She frowned at the primal display of 'power' in his flared skin, claws grasping firmly around the swords in his hands. Without much thought, fire shot from her combined hands. A ball that sped past Aran, the heat creating a haze in its wake. The creature was stuck in the chest, unrooting it's clawed feet from the ground and launching it backwards into the mud and at the feet of its party. The lizards looked shocked at the display, they were clearly unaccustomed to magic. Especially magic of fire that could fell their leader.
"See what I did to your strongest!?" Chloe shouted, her anger at this interruption apparent in her words. "Run and hide under your rocks, lizards!"
The lizards reared up and screamed their rage to the sky, yet they did not approach further. It seemed like forever until the lizards made a move, one of them grunted and strung back a crude bow, an arrow fired, to which a Chloe responded with a quick shield spell extended in front of Aran. A shimmering white wall spread from her palm, the arrow bounced off as if the magic were solid and hit heavily against the ground.
But that was enough to make the Lizards charge forwards, teeth bared and weapons raised high.
Thunder sounded, a deep roar of a sound that echoed the very trees. The lizards slowed in their advance, before coming to a stop and crouching low. The same noise struck again, this time far louder. The lizards were struck with a fear, they turned quickly and ran from the clearing, dragging the body of their leader with them.
For a scant second, the sky went dark. A large, heavy feeling, shadow flew over the clearing. Chloe looked at Aran, words didn't leave her mouth but her message was clear. What should they do?
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ShockHelix
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Post by ShockHelix on Nov 16, 2013 19:24:32 GMT -5
Aran held his blade out to the side, creating a metal barrier in the path between the lizards and Chloe, and the torch held forward to keep them at bay. He looked over his shoulder as Chloe conjured fire, and was glad she had understood their aversion to the flames.
"They don't like the light....." She said in amazement, and Aran nearly laughed. As much as she had seemed calm and collected in the small training they had done, he felt now she was highly unexperienced in combat after all. As the Alpha of the Lizardmen approached, he readied himself for the beasts assault when a fireball rocketed over his shoulder, forcing him to shy away from the blaze.
The collision sent fire spewing in all directions as the lizard was blasted backwards into a heaping pile in the mud before it's remaining pack. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of charred flesh and blood that rose from the smoking corpse, with acrid black smoke rising from the flames that still licked the edges of the fallen Alpha's chest. He was thankful for the rain, as fighting in a flaming forest was not high on his list of things he'd like to do.
"See what I did your strongest? Go and hide under your rocks, lizards!"
Aran smiled under his helmet, partially because it was a pointless statement. "I am afraid they do not understand the common tongue, my lady." His voice was calm and steady, as though this was nothing but a common occurrence. In truth, his heart was racing, still worried about the implications of this fight. It was likely that the rain had saved their lives in this instance. The archers could have likely skewered one or both had their strings not been soaked and likely ruined, before they had been detected. Aran would need to be more alert in the future.
He turned to block an arrow when Chloe raised a shield before him with her magic, halting the arrow before it even reached him. It was unnecessary, but he appreciated it nonetheless. He strode calmly as the lizards charged, a stride of confidence, ready to cut them down, when the roar of something other then thunder echoed across the forest. He held his ground as the lizards slowed, and smiled as they retreated with their Alpha's body. He did not expect the leader to survive, but their loyalty was surprising.
He did his best to ignore the sound, and looked over his shoulder to Chloe, ensuring that she was alright. He could see no apparent cuts or bruises, and as a shadow passed overhead, he did his best to contain his fear, and strode over to the blades left by the Lizardmen Alpha, picking up both.
"If it please you, it may be best to leave immediately. The Lizardmen may return, with greater numbers, and it may be wisest to reach Mournoth before nightfall and more dangerous creatures begin their hunt..."
He tossed the torch onto the fire, moving to Strider and sheathing his own sword, before tucking the other two safely into the middle of his saddlebag. Despite the calmness he forced into his voice and motion, he wasted no time placing his shield over his back and re-stringing his bow. Untying Striders reigns from the nearby tree, he mounted the horse nimbly and nicked an arrow in the bow.
"Stay close my lady. If we are beset, ride to Mournoth as quickly as possible, and I will deal with our attacker." His voice was calm, but as a shadow circled over the clearing again, his heart beat like a drum in his chest. If it belonged to the creature he thought, 'dealing with their attacker' meant becoming a meal. As soon as Chloe was ready, he snapped his horses reigns and trotted into the forest, back toward the road, sweating under his armor despite the cold rain hitting his cloak.
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ThreeDawg
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Voice of the Wastes
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Post by ThreeDawg on Nov 24, 2013 14:18:56 GMT -5
Chloe was struck dumb by the gravity of the situation, one moment they had been relaxing by a campfire awaiting the end of a storm, the next they had been attacked and now this, thing, had managed to scare off what she could only think of as Lizardmen into the darkness they had come from. But, and this she admired, Aran didn't seem phased at all by the proceedings. It worked to calm her down, as much as she could in this situation, and she quickly moved over to her own horse.
Avril shifted irritably in the mud, tugging lightly on the reins attached to the tree. Something had startled her, it was clear she didn't want to stay here. With a soothing voice, Chloe placed her hand upon the horse and whispered calmingly into her ear while Chloe untied the reigns. Her sword clattered against her leg as she gracefully mounted her horse, which had settled a little from the company of its master.
"Stay close my lady. If we are beset, ride to Mournoth as quickly as possible, and I will deal with our attacker." Aran had said, and Chloe wasn't going to argue.
She nodded her response as her lips seemed to want no part in talking the words of Man anymore, lest they summon the beasts of the forest upon. Avril rode in close to Strider, she seemed to take comfort in the presence of another horse and stook to his side as much as Chloe had been told to stick to Aran's. They begun to trot through the forest, leaving their blazing fire behind them, and Chloe came to remember just how cold the winter rains could be. She pulled the hood of her robe over her quickly dampening hair, a desperate attempt to keep her ears warm. It worked, for a while, the thick robe was good at keeping water off and the cold at bay.
Chloe startled at a loud crunching noise in the distance behind them, she turned and saw nothing, but it sounded like a tree had been splintered into shards. Another thunderous roar sounded, as that is what it was, a roar. It sounded as if a Sabertooth Tiger had screamed into her ear, and suddenly the trail went darker as the fire behind them, dwindling in the distance, was snuffed out like a torch. Another cracking sound echoed throughout the woods, drowning out even the sound of the rain it was that close.
Just how far was Mournmoth?
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ShockHelix
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Deity of Death
No mercy for the weak. No pity for the dying. No tears for the slain.
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Post by ShockHelix on Nov 26, 2013 4:20:48 GMT -5
Aran rode as calmly as he could, back straight and eyes dead ahead. The an'Kin had told him a time like this might come, and that was why they had pushed him and the other Servants so hard to lose their emotion. Fear would not serve them if it froze them in place, but how could anyone not feel fear? It gripped his stomach like a vice, and he clenched his bow as if life itself lay in the slender wood.
He picked up his pace without a word, glad to see his Lady's horse stay close by Strider's side. He was worried for the horses health, but the sound of a roar behind them was unmistakable as thunder at this range. He dared not look behind him, for fear he might see the beast he hoped he had imagined, bringing the bow and it's knocked arrow to a single hand.
"The road should be safer for the horses to ride at speed," he said as calmly a he could muster, gripping the stirrup with his other hand. "We must ride swiftly now." The trees were thinner here then deeper in, but the branches above were still enough to obscure the sky and it's secrets.
A shadow passed overhead, blocking what little light trickled through the dark storm clouds and trees, and Aran pressed his heels against Strider's side. The horse took his command swiftly, changing the trot into a gallop, and Aran's armor resounded with the impact of the falling reign. He would be soaked to the bone by the end of this trip, but so long as he and his master survived, he would find the cold welcome company.
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ThreeDawg
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Voice of the Wastes
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Post by ThreeDawg on Dec 8, 2013 12:17:53 GMT -5
The wind shook Chloe more, now that the trees had thinned. But as the sky was blanketed in unnatural darkness, Chloe came to realise it wasn't true wind that was throwing her robe across Avril. Quickly behind Aran, Chloe begun a gallop down the trail towards the road to Mourmoth.
An infuriated roar called out into the sky, Chloe instinctively looked up to it, a splitting sound that seemed to break the clouds as a shape descended from them. Great limbs flapped heavily to the side, a bird of immense size descended towards them. No, Chloe thought as it got closer, the beast resembled more of a bat.
She turned her face down, unwilling to bare witness to what was behind them. The road came upon them quicker than Chloe could realise, a slight patter indicated hooves had struck stones partially buried in the Earth that once easily facilitated cart travel but had since fallen into a state of disrepair. The Horses seemed to liven at the feel and with little urging they shifted their gallop towards Mournoth, the beast behind them in heavy pursuit yet hardly making any progress catching up to the horses.
But progress was being made, slowly. Eyes fixated, stomach empty. Hunger drove the beast on to a tasty meal. It let out a roar again, this time and this close it sounded vaguely like it masked words.
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